15 Self-Guided Tours in Sweden Worth Losing a Day To

1.Old Town Self-Guided Tour Learn and solve Puzzles

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 64 reviews · 90 days · from $11Our pick

Start in the Royal Palace courtyard and follow Curiosa through Stockholm’s Old Town, the Grand Square, and Saint George and the Dragon. Read or listen? This is a reading-based phone experience with stories, clues, and puzzles in English, Swedish, German, or French. Plan about 1.5 to 2 hours, and use the tour anytime within 90 days.

“I really liked that you could go at your own pace. The little puzzles were great too! Maybe a couple more of different hints and clues would also be good 😊 the clock tower one in particular at the German Church.”

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2.Self Guided Kayak Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 55 reviews · 2 - 4 hours · from $45

Start near Stockholm Central Station and paddle from Klara sjö on a self-guided city adventure. You get a short kayak lesson, map, Prijon kayak, paddle, life vest, and spray deck. Plan for 2 to 4 hours on the water, with time to enjoy Stockholm’s islands, bridges, and waterfront views at your own pace.

“It was nice to get on the water. It was calm, but in the city. So nice.”

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3.5-Day Kayak & Wildcamp the Archipelago of Sweden – Self-guided

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 48 reviews · from $938Top rated

Spend five self-guided days kayaking through St. Anna and Gryt, camping on wild islands and stopping at Harstena, Missjö, Håskö, and Fångö. Do the North provides kayaks, tents, cooking gear, navigation notes, food at cost, a safety briefing, phone support, and transport from Norrköping. You set the pace, route, and camping spots.

“We were repeat customers, who were a little anxious that our second trip would not live up to the expectations set from the first. We should not have worried, this trip was just as amazing as the first. Maybe more amazing as we had a little faRead more”

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4.Self Guided GPS Bike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 38 reviews · from $40

Pick one of four 15 to 20 km Stockholm bike routes at Urban Basecamp on Södermalm. Your hybrid bike, helmet, lock, backpack, and phone holder are ready for a contactless ride. Use your own charged smartphone with Google Maps to follow city sights, artsy Södermalm, parks, or nearby nature reserves.

“Loved being able to see parts of Stockholm City that most tourists don’t see. We did the lakes and forests routes which was extremely pleasant and relaxing. There are a few up hill moments on this track so be prepared. Also remember to take a photo of the QR code for the route as google maps can be temperamental.”

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5.Walk Malmö with an audio guide

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 31 reviews · from $10

Download this self-guided Malmö audio walk to your phone and explore from Malmö Centralstation to Turning Torso in about 2 to 3 hours. You’ll hear stories at St. Peter’s Church, Stortorget, Folkets Park, Möllevångstorget, Kungsparken, Malmöhus Castle, and other city stops. Bring headphones and download the tour over hotel Wi-Fi before setting out.

“Just the right length of walk and information at each point. Of our phones do not have earphones sockets. Also this is not a circular route and some time was spent getting back to the start.”

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6.Stockholm Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 27 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $6Best value

Use your phone and headphones to follow 25 historian-narrated recordings through Stockholm, from City Hall and Riddarholmen to Gamla Stan, the Royal Palace, and Hötorget. The app includes illustrations, an offline map, GPS support, and one year of access. There is no human guide, and entrance fees are separate.

“Way to download and use. Hit all the necessary sites downtown. We walked in the late evening. Beautiful under the lights. Very safe.”

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7.Old Town Helsingborg: Exploration Game and Self-Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 23 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $7

Use the Questo app to follow clues through Helsingborg, solving puzzles at Dunkers Kulturhus, Kärnan Museum, City Hall, Öresundsparken, and St. Mary’s Church. This private, English-language game takes about 60 to 90 minutes, works offline, and lets you start, pause, or continue whenever you like.

“Meget dårlig oplevelse. Første del af turen var afspærret pga. vejarbejde, dernæst er appen på engelsk hvilket ikke gjorde det nemmere at gætte og der blev intet fortalt om det man så, i stedet var det en ligegyldig fiktionshistorie. Vi kom ikke forbi noget som helst jeg vil kalde seværdigheder og gav op efter post 5. Kan IKKE anbefales. Spild af penge.”

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8.Self-Guided Kayak Adventure In Central Stockholm (One-man kayak)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 22 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $35

Rent a one-person kayak from Långholmen Kajak and spend about two hours exploring Stockholm independently. You receive a kayak, paddle, life jacket, spray deck, map, drybag, and a short safety introduction, then paddle toward City Hall and Old Town at your own pace. No guide follows you on the water.

“They still charged us for a drybag but our reservation included it. Fun though. It was pretty windy, so be prepared for that.”

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9.Self-Guided Food Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 18 reviews · 3 hours · from $83

Explore Malmö at your own pace with a printed and digital food map, four tasting stops, and the choice to walk or cycle. Expect Swedish coffee, locally caught fish from Fiskehoddorna, organic options, and food from Malmö’s many cultures. Staff at each stop share a short story about the dish and business.

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10.4-Day Stockholm Archipelago Self-Guided Kayak and Wild Camp

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · from $555

Spend four days kayaking between Stockholm Archipelago islands, sleeping at wild campsites and choosing your own pace. The Kayak Trail supplies kayaks, camping gear, cooking equipment, route advice, food options, and return transfers. Guides including Jakob, Adam, Ellen, Jonathan, and Frederick help you set off safely, then remain available by phone.

“This experience was one of the highlights of our trip to Sweden! Jakob was helpful and patient with us in planning what excursion would best suit our needs and the team (shout out to Ellen!) has thought of everything, literally everything, you Read more”

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11.CityQuest in Stockholm – To See Stockholm and Die

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 16 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $20

You and your private team investigate the murder of a visiting Russian scientist during a 2.5-hour walking quest through central Stockholm. Starting at Centralstation, you follow paper evidence and a web-based criminal journal to solve clues near the Royal Opera, Kungstradgarden, Sergels Torg, and other central sights. Bring your own phone and internet connection.

“We had a terrific time on our CityQuest Stockholm Syndrome part 1 adventure. Ardi was super responsive and everyone was really nice. The app was user friendly and had fun clues in it and the adventure as a whole was well planned. The story was engaging and led you around in a perfect amount of time and a manageable part of town. I would highly recommend these and can’t wait to come back for more!!!”

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12.4-Day Kayak & Wildcamp the Archipelago of Sweden – Self-guided

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · from $833

Set out from Norrköping with Do the North AB for four days of self-guided kayaking among the St. Anna archipelago’s thousands of islands. You’ll receive a safety and navigation briefing, top-quality kayak and camping gear, pre-ordered groceries, return transport, a guidebook, and a phone for weather and support. No previous kayaking experience is required.

“The sunsets, the starry skies, the islands, the eagles and the sauna! We just got back from four days of absolute happiness kayaking and wild camping in St Anna archipelago. A big thanks to Thomas and his crew for organising this triRead more”

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13.Stockholm Troll Hunt: Self-Guided Old Town Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 14 reviews · 50 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $7

Use your phone to solve 12 interactive puzzles from the Royal Swedish Opera to Stortorget. This private, English-language quest takes about 50 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes, with no physical guide. Pause and resume whenever you like while learning stories tied to Stockholm’s palace, cathedral, statues, churches, and old trading streets.

“Wir haben die Trolljagt in Stockholm gebucht. Bis dass das Erlebnis startet ist es sehr kompliziert und es verging über 1 Stunde. Dann hatten wir keine Zeit mehr es zu spielen.”

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14.Lund’s Medieval and Modern History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 11 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $9

Walk from Lund Central to AF Borgen with the VoiceMap app as your guide. In about 60 to 75 minutes, you’ll visit Stortorget, Lund Cathedral, Kulturen, the Botanical Garden, Professorsstaden, Skissernas Museum, and Lund University Library. Audio, maps, and route data work offline in English.

“Work fine. Many nice stops, but too much around the university and far too little about the cathedral.”

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15.City Highlights Self-Guided SUP Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 2 hours · from $30

Start on green Långholmen, where an English-speaking instructor explains SUP basics, supplies your board, paddle, lifejacket, drybag, and map, then sends you out independently. Paddle around Långholmen or Reimersholme, with views toward City Hall and Old Town. It suits beginners, but expect cold water and no guide on the route.

“Amazing! They give you a quick set of instructions and you are good to go! We got there early and they had our SUPs available so they were kind enough to let us move our time slot up. Super nice and relaxing trip!”

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